Pro Football Focus recently revealed their top receiving groups heading into the 2018 NFL season and the Minnesota Vikings topped their list.
During the late 90s and early 2000s, fans of the Minnesota Vikings were treated to the team’s offense featuring a number of excellent receiving options. Vikings fans had the privilege of watching two Hall of Fame pass catchers in Cris Carter and Randy Moss make jaw-dropping plays almost every time they stepped onto the field.
The success of receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen last season definitely brought back memories of when Carter and Moss used to play together in Minnesota. Not since Carter left the team in 2001 have the Vikings had as good of a receiving duo as they currently do right now.
Heading into the 2018 season, some even believe that Minnesota’s current group of receivers are the absolute best in the NFL.
On Tuesday, Pro Football Focus ranked each position group around the league and they named the Vikings as the team with the NFL’s best group of pass catchers. Diggs and Thielen clearly had a lot to do with this decision by Pro Football Focus.
"“Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen were the best wide receiver duo in the game last season. Though neither can challenge the likes of Antonio Brown as the game’s best at the position, they did more to help their quarterback as a pair than any one receiver in the league.The key now becomes what depth looks like behind them in 2018. Kendall Wright was signed in free agency and can be a capable slot weapon, but Laquon Treadwell’s time is running out to prove he can make any kind of impact. Stacy Coley graded extremely well in the preseason a year ago, catching 10 of 16 targets, and could pass Treadwell on the depth chart.”"
Coming in second and third behind Minnesota in this position group ranking were the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers respectively.
If the Vikings can find a way to get decent production out of Wright, Treadwell, or Coley next season, Minnesota could end up having one of the best passing attacks in the NFL. The addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason only increases the chances of this happening as well.
Next: Who will be the Vikings' most improved player in 2018?
The Vikings’ haven’t had a passing offense finish among the NFL’s top five since 2004. With the combination of Cousins and what Pro Football Focus believes as the league’s best receivers, this is a streak that may come to an end for Minnesota next season.